The headline of today’s ‘i’ newspaper (18/07/19) reads: ‘Vegan parents told to see their GP over children’s diets.’
This has been due to the increase in popularity of vegan diets. The Vegan Society now claims that there are 600,000 vegans in the UK, which has quadrupled from 150,000 in four years. This surge has prompted nutritionists to issue updates guidance on what young children should be fed. The verdict: it’s about time a comprehensive vegan guide was made.
The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) have released an updated 5532 guide. They state that ‘vegan diets can be healthy for young children’ although they advise seeking supplementation advice from your GP.
A report conducted by Waitrose stated that 18-34 year olds are the most likely age demographic to turn towards a vegan diet – so it makes sense that they’d raise their children to follow the diet too.
The BNF’s updated guide will undoubtedly become a valuable resource for parents and nutritionists alike. It provides them with solid evidence that a vegan diet does not restrict or harm a child’s development.
Despite whether children are raised to follow a vegan diet or not, the BNF state that it’s imperative for it to be nutritious. If your child does develop a deficiency or illness, seek your GP’s advice immediately.
